2027 Volvo EX60 First-Drive Review: A Stylish EV That Prioritizes Intelligence Over Flashiness

      Marty Padgett

      The most significant automotive news and reviews, no fluff.

      Our free daily newsletter delivers the stories that truly matter to you every weekday.

      While some automakers have halted their electric vehicle (EV) initiatives, Volvo continues to forge ahead with its ambitious plan to transition to electric. There will be more hybrids to facilitate this shift, but exceptional new electric vehicles like the 2027 Volvo EX60 are central to the strategy.

      This new electric crossover avoids some of the unnecessary features found in competing EVs. Instead, it presents itself as a stylish and confident zero-emission alternative to the XC60. Available in rear-wheel drive (P6) or all-wheel drive (P10), the EX60 boasts a well-designed interior, approximately 300 miles of range, and a starting price near $60,000. My daylong test drive of both variants confirms that it competes well with the BMW iX3, an EV SUV I find quite appealing.

      Volvo

      Barcelona appreciates great design, from Gaudí’s creations to the sail-shaped W Hotel. If you want to attract attention, dress well. The EX60 accomplishes that. It lacks the elegant, traditional roof pillars of the XC SUVs, instead embracing a tapered roofline and distinctive rear pillar shared with other global EVs. Its bold front end prominently displays Volvo’s logo on a diagonal tie bar, while the rest of the profile features sculpted details leading into sharp LED taillights. Inside, the design is dominated by a tablet-on-tabletop theme, with an ash trim strip behind a uniquely shaped steering wheel. Most functions are managed via touchscreen rather than buttons, although a Lucite volume roller under the screen adds a touch of class to the understated interior.

      I head to the hilly wine region outside the city, reminiscent of Napa, and take my first ride in the EX60 P6. Wait, where’s the door handle? Rather than traditional bulky pull-outs, Volvo incorporates sleek flags in the window trim. Squeeze the inside edge, settle into the supportive front seats, and the EX60 glides onto the inviting pavement.

      The P6 serves as the entry-level version of the EX60 lineup. Equipped with a single 275-kW front motor and an 80 kWh (usable) battery, this model delivers 369 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Volvo claims it can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 112 mph.

      Volvo

      As the inaugural vehicle using the new SPA3 architecture, the EX60 boasts megacast body sections for enhanced strength and reduced weight, alongside a cell-to-body battery design that cuts the battery weight by 20 percent and enables charging up to 31 percent faster—achieving 10-80 percent in just 16 minutes at 320 kW for the single-motor version through a standard NACS charging port. Volvo estimates a range of 307 miles for the most efficient P6 with 20-inch wheels, dropping to 295 miles with 22-inch wheels.

      This P6 RWD Ultra comes painted in silver with a bright wool-blend interior featuring dark ash accents and 22-inch wheels. It’s friendly and easy to drive, with minimal impact when navigating through its vehicle settings. The passive dampers are well-tuned for smooth rides on refined Spanish roads. Its curb weight ranges from 4,663 pounds to 5,137 pounds for dual-motor models. Steering feels light, but the squircle steering wheel enhances the feeling of engagement. The P6 lacks a sport mode and limits regenerative braking in one-pedal driving for smoother deceleration. Set it to creep like a gasoline engine, and it proves hard to unsettle it.

      It can also tow up to 3,600 pounds, while dual-motor EX60s can handle up to 4,500 pounds. With 7.2 inches of ground clearance and 17.7 inches of wading depth, it’s capable enough for most weekend getaways.

      Volvo

      As a passenger, I discover the EX60's strengths lie in its spacious accommodations. At 189.1 inches long, with a 116.9-inch wheelbase, the EX60 features a beautifully finished interior adorned with wood and soft-touch paint—and for Ultra editions, optional premium wool seat coverings. The front seats are supremely comfortable; however, the controls for the driver’s steering wheel and mirrors are inconveniently buried in the touchscreen. Higher-end models offer electrochromic control for the large glass roof, and ambient lighting creates night themes like Northern Lights and Forest Bath, which I appreciate after a long night out.

      The rear seat is generous, comfortable, and offers ample foot space. It even reclines with powered assistance. Transitioning to simpler seating seems impossible from here. The expansive cargo area features a split floor cover for storage, with a removable crab-embossed trash can